Utah Jazz notebook: KJZZ-TV wins Emmy for show on Miller's life

And the Emmy Award for Sporting Event/Game in the Live/Unedited category goes to ... KJZZ-TV. The Utah Jazz broadcast team received a prestigious honor for their coverage of late Jazz owner Larry H. Miller's life, which aired the day after his death and during the New Orleans-Utah game on Feb. 21, 2009.

And the Emmy Award for Sporting Event/Game in the Live/Unedited category goes to ... KJZZ-TV.

The Utah Jazz broadcast team received a prestigious honor for their coverage of late Jazz owner Larry H. Miller's life, which aired the day after his death and during the New Orleans-Utah game on Feb. 21, 2009.

The Emmy was for the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which includes Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and El Centro, Calif.

"This award is a testament to all the hard work and dedication our team puts into each broadcast," said KJZZ-TV general manager Chris Baum in a news release statement. "Jazz Productions continues to turn out high quality programming and the Emmy solidifies this group as one of the best in the business."

The Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards annually recognize the best broadcasting production in the region. According to the release, submissions don't compete against each other but are judged on their own merit "against a standard of excellence."

Henderson believes the award shows the "level of talent" that the TV production crew does on a game-after-game basis.

"Winning this award on the night that we paid tribute to Larry," he added, "is what makes the recognition so special for all of us involved."

HEARING FROM HARPRING?: Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Wednesday "there's a possibility" Matt Harpring will announce this week what the sidelined small forward's intentions will be for the remainder of the season.

O'Connor said he had no comment on which way Harpring might be leaning, whether or not he'll be available eventually this season or what the future has in store for the Jazz and their most-senior player.

"You're always hopeful that somebody ends their career the way they want to," O'Connor said. "That's a decision that Matt has to make."

Harpring told FanHouse on Tuesday that he's "not retiring" and that he "would love to play," even though lingering ankle and knee injuries have prevented him from playing or practicing yet in what would be his 12th NBA season. The 33-year-old Harpring didn't divulge whether he thought he could physically bounce back and play later this season.

O'Connor wouldn't comment on the possible trade value there would be for Harpring's expiring $6.5 million contract — a chunk of which insurance will reportedly cover if he misses 40 games due to injuries.

"Let's settle up Matt's playing before we do anything," O'Connor said.

The Jazz GM also said there are no other plans in the works for a non-playing role for Harpring.

"As far as doing something with the organization," O'Connor added, "there's nothing that we've even spoken with him about."

Harpring's agent did not return a phone call for comment.

SHORTHANDED SESSION: The Jazz got C.J. Miles back for practice Wednesday, but they were hardly at full strength with only nine healthy players.

Forward Andrei Kirilenko came to the practice facility for treatment on his strained lower back but went home without practicing. Like Miles, Kirilenko is considered a game-time decision Friday against Indiana.

Rookie point guard Eric Maynor and shooting guard Kyle Korver were also absent. Maynor, a Virginia Commonwealth University product, was honored by his alma mater — in Richmond, Va. — where Maynor is the all-time leader in scoring and assists — at a home game against Rhode Island on Wednesday. He'll return today. Korver is set to rejoin the team as well after doing a short rehab stint on his recuperating left knee at a workout facility in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Guard Ronnie Price was in attendance and increased his activity level but did not practice and is doubtful for Friday.

MR. PERFECT: Asked if he was happy with what he saw when Miles played some 2-on-2 ball Monday before officially returning to practice Wednesday, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan responded with a slight smile: "I never like what I see. … That's what all coaches are looking for — a perfect thing."

Popular Comments

Hopefully we will hear some news soon. I'd recommend contacting both KJZZ and
the Utah Jazz with your polite requests. I would love to see some Jazz
programming on KJZZ. I'd also love to see some Utah Flash on KJZZ as well.

Jody is a sports writer who covers the Utah Jazz for the Deseret News (yeah, rough life). He also writes about his fitness/health journey and triathlon exploits in his "Losing It!" column. He has been with the paper since more ..